Bridge Authority approves tolls

At a board meeting at 8:30 Wednesday morning, the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority voted unanimously to charge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge and approved increased tolls on the Pell Bridge. More

PROVIDENCE – At a board meeting at 8:30 Wednesday morning, the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority voted unanimously to charge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge and approved increased tolls on the Pell Bridge.

Drivers with Rhode Island E-Z Pass transponders will pay 75 cents on the Sakonnet River Bridge and 83 cents on the Pell Bridge, RITBA Chairman David A. Darlington told Providence Business News.

For the Sakonnet River Bridge, drivers with out-of-state transponders will pay $3.75 and out-of-state drivers without a transponder will be charged a video toll rate of $5.25. On the Pell Bridge, non Rhode Island E-Z Pass holders will pay $5 an axle.

Darlington added that the authority also voted to allow out-of-state residents to get Rhode Island transponders, and therefore pay the 75 cent or 83 cent prices to cross the bridges. “Anyone can get a Rhode Island transponder,” said Darlington.

The Authority also voted, on both bridges, to only charge drivers for one round-trip per day, so the tolls don’t penalize people who live on one side of the bridge and work on the other, said Darlington.

Comments

This was a difficult choice, with good arguments on both sides. But in the end, I think having the bridges paid for by the people who use them certainly makes sense, and the arrangement to soften the blow for commuters seems like a good idea as well.

Business Women nominations are now open. Nominate women who are Leaders in their field, and Women to Watch, who have potential to be tomorrow's leaders. And, tell us of Career Achievers and Great Mentors! Deadline April 17th.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.